Effect of household exposure on risk for COVID-19 infection in vaccinated HCWs
Editor's Note This Israeli study finds that exposure to COVID-19- positive household members was a risk factor associated with COVID-19 infection in vaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs). Of 171 HCWs analyzed, exposure to a positive household member was significantly more common among vaccinated HCWs who were COVID-19-positive (56%) than nonvaccinated HCWs…
Zimmer Biomet platform links with Apple Watch for postop patient care
Editor's Note Zimmer Biomet on August 31 presented data at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2021 annual meeting that highlighted the clinical value of its MyMobility platform with Apple Watch, the August 31 Mass Device reports. MyMobility is a remote care management platform that helps guide and support patients…
Racial, ethnic differences in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWs
Editor's Note This survey study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, finds that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is high among healthcare workers (HCWs), and there are substantial differences in vaccine hesitancy by race and ethnicity. Of 10,871 surveyedโcompared with White HCWsโvaccine hesitancy was increased: nearly five-fold among Black HCWs…
Cleveland Clinic, UH CEOs concerned that COVID-19 vaccine mandates could lead to HCW shortages
Editor's Note CEOs of Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals (UH), Cleveland, say they are concerned that COVID-19 vaccine mandates could lead to healthcare worker (HCW), shortages, endangering patient care, the August 26 cleveland.com reports. Strict COVID-19 measures were keeping patients safe before the vaccines and are still doing the job,…
Higher postop VTE risk linked to COVID-19
Editor's Note This study led by researchers at University Hospital Birmingham, UK, finds that COVID-19 is associated with a significantly increased risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). This analysis of more than 128,000 patients at 1,630 hospitals in 115 countries found that the likelihood of postoperative VTE was 50% higher…
Nebraska governor orders hospitals to limit elective surgical procedures
Editor's Note On August 26, Nebraska Gov Pete Ricketts announced multiple initiatives to increase bed capacity and boost hospital staffing in his state amid the latest wave of COVID-19, including a health measure to limit elective surgical procedures. He directed hospitals to cancel elective inpatient surgical procedures โthat can wait…
Prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in HCWs at an academic medical center
Editor's Note This study of healthcare workers (HCWs) at the University of Kentucky Healthcare in Lexington finds a low and similar antibody positivity rate between HCWs and patients. Of 322 HCWs, 5 were antibody positive for an overall rate of 1.55%. The antibody positivity rate of COVID-19 infected patients at…
FDA: Cardinal Health recalls Monoject Saline Flush Prefilled Syringes
Editors Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 23 identified the recall by Cardinal Health of its Monoject Saline Flush Prefilled Syringes as Class I, the most serious. Cardinal Health is recalling three models of the syringes because the syringe plunger may pull air into the syringe after…
New study shows how frequently COVID-19 spreads through households, impact on communities of color
Editor's Note This study by researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, finds that household crowding amplifies the spread of COVID-19, potentially contributing to the disproportionate impact on communities of color. Researchers followed 100 COVID-19-positive patients and 208 additional household members from April to October,…
Joint Commission updates ACSS, THKR performance measures
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on August 25 that data collection for four new performance measures in the Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS) program and one new performance measure in the Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement (THKR-5) program began on July 1. Programs are…